Mighty Peking Man (1977, Hong Kong)
Since the release of King Kong all the way back in 1933 — before you and your momma were even born — not a decade has passed where the great beast’s paw print hasn’t been visible in pop culture. Whether it’s sequels, reboots, or knock-offs, Kong and the monkeys who ape him have caused chaos for decades. In 1977, the Shaw Brothers sought to capitalize on the hype surrounding the King Kong remake with their own movie about a gigantic primate with romantic tendencies. It’s essentially a goofier version of the Kong story we know and love with some gender-swapped Tarzan elements thrown in for good measure. All in all, a true work of genius. – Fisher
Q: The Winged Serpent (1982, USA)
The ancient Aztec god, Quetzalcoatl descends upon New York City to feast on children and the homeless. The police, in the form of David Carradine and Richard Roundtree, are totally clueless as to how a string of ritualistic homicides relate to the giant serpent occupying the city skyline. Luckily, Michael Moriarty’s two-bit hood has discovered the creature’s nest atop the Chrysler Building. Exploitation maestro Larry Cohen delivers an absolutely bonkers monster movie where the humans are about as weird as the leviathan. The film ultimately owes as much to King Kong as anything else, but the fearful humans panicking on the streets below owe everything to the fleeing citizens of Tokyo. – Gullickson
The Return of Godzilla (1984, Japan)
After Toho set their beast loose on Tokyo in the original Godzilla, they repackaged the gargantuan lizard as a good guy for subsequent movies. Instead of trying to destroy his homeland, he was a superhero of sorts who protected it from other monstrous invaders. However, in 1984, the King returned to his roots as a force of unspeakable horror as he rampaged through Japan metaphorically driven by the ghosts of the soldiers who passed away during WWII. The Return of Godzilla is a direct sequel to the first movie, and it’s a worthy one at that. – Fisher
Pulgasari (1985, North Korea)
What if I told you that in the late 70s Kim Jong-il, the former ruler of North Korea and one of Donald Trump’s greatest inspirations, kidnapped South Korean film director Shin Sang-ok and forced him to make movies in North Korea? I bet you’d think about it briefly and then say, “Yeah, that makes sense.” Well, that’s exactly what happened, and the last of those movies Shin was forced to make was 1985’s Pulgasari. Fear not, however, because Shin did eventually escape to the US where he would go on to direct 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up. Heavily inspired by Godzilla, Pulgasari is the story of a corrupt monarchy that rules North Korea with an iron fist. With the people suffering the town’s blacksmith creates a figure to protect them from the government. As his last dying wish he begs for the creature to come to life and that’s when Pulgasari is born. Pulgasari helps leads a peasant army overthrow the evil monarchy. While the film was intended to be North Korean propaganda, rumor has is that Shin included a hidden message and that the creature is a metaphor representing Kim Jong-il. – Coffel
The Blob (1988, USA)
This is probably the least-traditional of the big monsters to make this list, but it technically fits — it’s big, huge even, and it’s definitely monstrous! The Steve McQueen-starring original gets most of the press, but Chuck Russell‘s late 80s remake is a modern classic even with Kevin Dillon in the lead role. The effects, a mix of optical and practical work, are still crazy good, and the film manages some killer sequences and set-pieces even with Kevin Dillon in the lead role. Russell blends sci-fi, horror, and action with a cautionary tale about biological weapons, theater etiquette, and teen miscreants, and it’s incredibly entertaining even with Kevin Dillon in the lead role. – Hunter
Tremors (1990, USA)
All of the movies on this list will have their fans, some more than others, but if I had to bet on it I’d guess that Ron Underwood‘s American desert-set monster movie is beloved by all. It features brilliantly-designed practical creatures, a sharp and funny script, and a cast that includes Fred Ward and Kevin Bacon as our heroes. It’s an absolute blast and as purely entertaining as a creature feature can be. The five (!) follow-ups are a series of diminishing returns, but the original is impossible not to love no matter how many times you watch it. (Honest, I’m in double digits, and the damn thing still delights.) – Hunter
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995, Japan)
Gamera, the giant turtle, is a successful franchise star in his own right, but one could argue that he always lived in Godzilla’s shadow. There’s no denying that G is much more influential, but in 1995 Shusuke Kaneko brought the creature out of its shell, so to speak, with a movie that redefined the series and proved that Gamera could contend with the best of them. Without going into hyperbole, this is one of the greatest giant monster movies of all-time. The tone is much darker compared to previous Gamera incarnations, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun — as are the sequels that followed. This one also stars Ayako Fujitani, who is the daughter of the Putin-pimping action icon, Steven Seagal. – Fisher
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995, Japan)
How many giant monster movies touch your feels? King Kong does, sure, but most of us watch these films for the destruction and chaos on display. This elegiac swansong to Godzilla’s Heisei era, however, is a gut punch that gave the monster a powerful send-off — at least until he regenerated for the Millenium series shortly after. In this masterpiece, our dude is on the verge of nuclear meltdown, which would spell disaster for Japan if he goes off. But when another monstrous threat surfaces and starts causing bother, it’s up to G to save the day while the scientist types figure out how to prevent imminent nuclear devastation. If you don’t weep like a baby during this then you have no soul. – Fisher
Zarkorr! The Invader (1996, USA)
Back in the mid-90’s Charles Band and his Full Entertainment brand were still making fun movies, and in 1996 they tried their hand at the kaiju genre with Zarkorr! The Invader. A postal worker named Tommy and 6-inch pixie join forces to stop the evil Zarkorr, a massive laser-eyed monster sent by aliens to destroy Earth. Given that Tommy has already seen it all as a United State Postal worker, he’s the perfect man for the job. This movie is silly and goofy, but it has all the charm of the early Full Moon/Empire efforts. – Coffel
Godzilla (1998, USA)
I’m not sure if I’ve ever actually seen the 1998 version of Godzilla in its entirety. If I have I don’t remember much of it. I know Hank Azaria plays in it, as a cameraman I think, and I remember there was some sort of Taco Bell promotion. I also know it was the basis for the animated Godzilla: The Series, which was fantastic. The reason I am including this entry is that because I know deep down Kieran wanted to include it but didn’t because the internet is cruel. So this one is for you, Kieran, and as I’m sure you’d say, “Godzilla 1998 is a masterpiece!” – Coffel
Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001, Japan)
For the 25th installment of the franchise that never dies, Toho assembled the titular creatures — and Baragon — for a big monster bash to celebrate the impressive milestone with style. Helmed by Shusuke Kaneko hot off the heels of his outstanding 90’s Gamera trilogy, here we see the aforementioned Kaiju join forces to stop Godzilla from laying waste to civilization. Like most movies on this list, it’s not exactly plot heavy, but it’s always been my favorite Godzilla flick and lots of G-fans agree with me. This is as good as cinema gets. – Fisher
The Host (2006, South Korea)
Bong Joon-ho‘s best film remains the searingly brilliant Memories of Murder, but while there’s a very real human monster in that film he went full creature feature for his follow-up. US military shenanigans lead to the creation of a monstrous beast, and Bong delivers plenty of action as the creature runs rampant and goes to town on the populace. He also ups the ante by blending comedy, commentary, and family drama into something wholly unique. You can’t help but care about this family (including the eternally great Song Kang-ho) as their fight against the monster becomes a personal one, and the result is as affecting as it is entertaining. – Hunter
The Mist (2007, USA)
The true monsters in Stephen King‘s excellent source novella and Frank Darabont‘s even better movie are the people who give in to fear, mob mentality, and the power of fundamentalism, but it’s the bigger monsters that land it on this list. Over-sized insects, prehistoric creatures, and giant H.P Lovecraft-inspired beasts leave characters and viewers alike terrified and in awe. All that *and* one of the bleakest endings in horror film history? Of course, it’s one of my favorite monster movies. – Hunter
Cloverfield (2008, USA)
J.J. Abrams’ mystery box cracks open and the closest iteration of an American kaiju film comes spilling forth. Captured on screen by T.J. Miller’s camcorder, Cloverfield manages to be one of the most thrilling examples of the found footage genre. A farewell party is torn asunder when the severed head of the Statue of Liberty rolls down the street outside. When the group of partiers takes off into the night, they discover it’s hard to hide from a giant kaiju. It’s a cliché, but what you don’t see is the best stuff. Glimpses of the creature are satisfying and the mini-me variations are totally gnarly. – Gullickson
Monsters vs. Aliens (2009, USA)
I was 23 when Monsters vs. Aliens was released and I saw it on opening day. I remember waiting in line to get in the theater and being the only person over 13 that wasn’t with their family. As weird as that may have been, it was worth it. This is the story of a woman turned into 50 foot giant after being struck by a meteorite. She’s captured by the US government and sent to join a team of other monsters to defend the world from an alien attack. This one is loads of fun with plenty of references to classic sci-fi like Mothra, The Blob, and The Fly. – Coffel
Monsters (2010, UK)
In 2010 Gareth Edwards made is feature length directorial debut with the low budget but wildly inventive, Monsters. What makes Monsters so special is that is takes place years after Earth has been attacked by tentacled creatures. At this point everyone is just sort of like, “eh, this is our life now.” This clever approach, different from most monster movies, helps the film stand out and is made all the more impressive by the fact that it was pulled off over the course of three weeks with a 6-person crew. I wonder what Edwards is up to these days? – Coffel
Trollhunter (2010, Norway)
Prior to 2010, I would have never expected a movie about trolls to fall into the giant monster category because I always thought trolls were small little guys living under bridges or good luck charms with wild hair. Apparently that isn’t the case in Norwegian culture, and director André Øvredal proved that when he made a low budget mockumentary on trolls with Trollhunter. In this film trolls are massive creatures, some towering up to over 300 feet, and their existence is kept secret by an agency known as the Troll Security Service. A group of university students uncover this secret when they set out to make a documentary on a suspected bear poacher. Tense, exciting, and darkly funny, Trollhunter offers up a little bit of everything for the monster lover. – Coffel
Pacific Rim (2013, USA)
I’m not sure why, but it’s apparently uncool to like Pacific Rim. I constantly hear people refer to it as “the one GDT movie I don’t like.” Well, that’s fine if you don’t like it because I do. And why do I like it? Because it’s awesome. A war between mankind and giant sea creatures? With Idris Elba leading the charge and Charlie Day as scientist? What’s not to like? – Coffel
Shin Godzilla (2016, Japan)
62 years after the original, the Godzilla franchise returns with a hard-hitting and angry piece of social science-fiction. Made in the wake of the real-life Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Shin Godzilla is a vicious response to the perceived bureaucratic red tape that prevented humanitarian aid from reaching the desperate. In this film, Godzilla is a force of nature tearing through city streets and leaving hundreds of pedestrians crying out in pain. The government only succeeds in filling boardrooms with hot air while their citizens wantonly perish. Fans looking for monster-on-monster action need not apply. Shin Godzilla is only interested in stoking your rage. – Gullickson
Colossal (2017, Canada)
Here is another social science-fiction melodrama. Anne Hathaway’s disgraced online journalist returns to her hometown after she’s thrown out of her boyfriend’s apartment where she discovers a psychic connection to the colossal kaiju stomping through South Korea whenever she wanders through the neighborhood playground. What’s that about? More importantly, what does one do when they suddenly have access to such horrendous power? Director Nacho Vigalondo told the Fantastic Fest audience that Colossal was his attempt to understand the anonymous hatred of online culture. How do we behave when we think no one is looking? Colossal achieves that commentary, but it’s also a savage take-down of toxic masculinity. To discuss that further I would have to severely spoil a few plot points and I do not want to rob new viewers of the film’s twists and turns. It’s an oddball picture. You’ll be scratching your head for the first twenty minutes or so, but when protagonist and antagonist finally meet, Colossal delivers on your craven kaiju desires. – Gullickson
Bonus: Godzilla vs Charles Barkley (USA)
In the mid-90’s Godzilla faced his toughest foe ever — Charles Barkley. The two played a fierce game of one-on-one that left Godzilla walking away with his head down and his tail between his legs. As a small child growing up in Phoenix during the 90’s this add campaign was everything to me and I had not only the shoes, but a Godzilla vs Charles Barkley poster in my bedroom. – Coffel
Related Topics: Big List, Kaiju, Monsters
